Republicans should say no to Jeb 2016

posted by Myra Adams
-
2 years ago

With Chris Christie in deep trouble, Republican poobahs are reportedly looking to Jeb Bush to save their party in 2016. The former two-term governor of Florida speaks fluent Spanish, is a convert to Catholicism, and has high name recognition. Jeb could raise millions of dollars over night by just saying “yes” to running.

Despite all this, there are strong reasons Republicans should say no to him.

1. His last name is poison.

Let’s face it, if Jeb Bush had the last name of Something Else he would have already run for president in 2008 or 2012. According to a recent Washington Post/ABC News poll registered voters were asked if they would definitely NOT vote for Jeb Bush and 50 percent said they would not. Among Independents the results were 49 percent and even 18 percent of Republicans said the same.

These poll results prove that the legacy of George W. Bush continues to have a negative effect on his brother’s political future.

2. Jeb would split the party

Conservative activists/Tea Party Republicans who are the majority of GOP primary voters are not lining up for Jeb 2016 due to his support for “Common Core” academic standards and his support for “amnesty” immigration legislation. Jeb, although he considers himself a “practicing conservative” is also viewed as a “moderate” establishment Republican in the mold of Mitt Romney.

The good news is that means he does not scare independent voters and is capable of raising millions from the “country-club” Republicans. The bad news is Jeb reinforces and epitomizes the “Establishment verses Tea Party” divide currently raging within the party.

3. Jeb’s isn’t ready for the new era of campaigns

Jeb was elected in 1998 and then reelected with 56 percent of the vote in 2002. In terms of political campaigns Jeb ran in the Stone Age before social media, hidden cameras (e.g. Romney’s “47 percent”), and super PACs. Will Jeb be ready-to-rumble in this mean and harsh Republican primary environment?